Wearable fitness technology has emerged as a dominant category over the last few years. Replacing the (arguably) less aesthetically pleasing smart watch, I’ve been testing the best smart rings.

Oura paved the way for smart rings when it debuted the handpiece stateside circa 2015, which inspired other tech brands to follow suit.

Fast forward a decade, and there’s plenty more choice when it comes to smart rings that track health metrics. And demand is not waning for smart rings – quite the opposite.

Google searches for the best smart rings have skyrocketed by 550 per cent over the last five years worldwide, which is unsurprising considering the breadth of metrics the small wearable can track from the wearer’s finger.

Most smart rings track your steps, activity levels, calories burnt and sleep cycle. While others can analyse stress levels, body temperature, monitor menstrual cycles, suggest optimum fertility window, detect sleep apnoea or if someone is snoring around you, and take photos.

From Oura, Samsung Galaxy, to RingConn and Gabit, here are the best smart rings I have tested to help reach my health goals – without compromising on style, of course.

Personal trainer and founder of East of Eden, Abby McLachlan, explains: “A smart ring is a screen-free wearable that tracks health and activity data from your finger. Depending on the model, a smart ring can monitor sleep, resting heart rate, heart-rate variability (HRV), temperature trends, blood oxygen, steps, activity, recovery/readiness and menstrual cycle insights.”

While Dr. Nikki Ramskill, founder of The Female Health Doctor, hails smart rings as an “exciting development in women's health”, she emphasises that these wearables should not replace medical professionals among those with serious health conditions. She adds: “Smart rings don't diagnose medical conditions or measure hormone levels directly, but they do provide meaningful insights into how our bodies respond to hormonal changes, help women feel more connected to their bodies, and better equipped to have informed conversations with their healthcare professional.”

I tested each smart ring for several weeks to determine my baseline metrics, such as my sleep cycle, resting heart rate, body temperature, and my menstrual cycle (important for differentiating between “normal” statistics). I compared the biometric tracking against other devices to examine accuracy, while assessing battery life and charging ease. I considered set-up, app connectivity and iPhones and Android compatibility.

As a jewellery obsessive, I wanted the smart rings to complement my ring stack, noting the style, finish and comfort. From weighted workouts to shower sessions and in the sea on holiday, I was after a durable smart ring that was truly tarnish-free and water-resistant. I also paid attention to the price, and if a subscription was required at an added cost.

What we love: Compact, slimline and ultra lightweight design, comfortable fit, doesn’t spin around my finger, easy to set-up, quick charge, waterproof, integrates with over 100 apps, AI-powered coaching support, and free ring size with purchase

Take note: Prices vary depending on colourway, charging case sold separately, most expensive

More lightweight, compact and slimline than any other smart ring, I often forgot I was wearing the Oura ring 5. Like the Oura ring 4, it’s made from high-performing titanium, but it has a softer gold finish that complements ring stacks nicely. It’s waterproof (up to 100 metres) and safe to wear in extreme temperatures (-10 to 52°C), surviving a holiday to Milos without tarnishing or losing power.

Its tracking system measures over 50 biometrics – including activity, stress, resilience, readiness, and body temperature – offering in-depth sleep data by analysing my circadian rhythm and body clock. It measures cardio capacity and cardiovascular age, which resonated with me as there is a history of heart conditions in my family.

For existing Oura owners, you won’t lose any data when upgrading thanks to the user-friendly app. The metrics are easy to digest, especially with the subscription that reveals greater analytics and wellness practices.

While I think it’s a worthy investment, a free subscription – or complimentary charging case – included in its circa-£400 price tag wouldn’t go amiss.

: No subscription, compact charging case, most affordable, long battery life, offers bio age data, AI-powered voice log, users can compare metrics with Gabit “Tribes”

: Limited colour variety, cumbersome design, and the LED lights on the inside can be distracting

Gabit’s titanium smart ring is lightweight (3.1g), water-resistant, durable, and the most affordable. While reviewers warned the black colourway tarnished easily, I wore it for several weeks without a single scratch.

However, the thick, chunky band with its interior grooves created a large, uncomfortable gap between my fingers. And while the inner shell is coated in non-allergic resin to prevent irritation, this section is also fitted with flashing sensors – a distracting feature.

These sensors monitor the usual health metrics, such as body temperature, activity, and heart rate. I often had to manually input several details, such as health symptoms and workouts (only the food log was compatible with the voice control), which was time-consuming. A standout feature is the AI-powered coach (PEP), which can determine your bio-age and create a bespoke health plan to improve that figure.

Battery life and charging speed are also impressive – it can run for over a week and recharge within an hour.

Smart ring for colour variety

What we love: Fast charging, easy to set up, comfortable fit, chic design, water resistant, wide colour variety, broad size variety, Android and iOS compatible, and cross-app compatibility

Take note: Gold tarnishes easily, shorter battery life than other smart rings after long wear, charging case sold separately.

I’ve worn the Oura ring 4 fairly religiously for over a year – testament to how comfortable it is. Lightweight, water-resistant (up to 100m) and non-allergenic, it doesn’t irritate my skin.

Oura offers a wider selection of colours and finishes (six in total), but the titanium is not as durable as you’d hope for the price tag: the gold finish scratched after my weight session. After a year of use, the battery life can’t compete with competitors either.

There is no denying the tracking data is impressive. The built-in Smart Sensing technology tracks over 30 biometrics for a detailed look into key health statistics, while the “Readiness” score helped determine what my body needed to tackle fatigue.

Admittedly, the ring served me better when I signed up for the £5.99 monthly subscription. While not a big fee, it’s the only brand I found required a paid subscription to reap all the benefits of the tracking metrics. The Oura ring charges on a dock, rather than a charging case like other smart rings (the charging case sells separately for £99.

What we love: Stable battery life, tracks several health metrics including snore detection, takes photos hands-free, water-resistant, easy to sync to phone, concave design, comfortable fit, includes a clear charging case that charges wirelessly, no subscription needed

Take note: Only compatible with Android, and limited colours

Samsung Galaxy’s Smart Ring is unique in its concave shape: with no gap either side, the design stopped the ring from rotating.

After several weeks of consistent wear, the gold finish on this water-resistant titanium design looked as good as new. While the battery lasted me for five days – the brand promise is seven – it was quick to recharge in the wireless USB-C case.

The ring is only compatible with Android devices, and both set-up and the app are extremely user-friendly. The app tracks a plethora of health metrics, offering detailed analytics across sleep health and activity. The sleep coaching feature analysed my sleep stages, consistency, and temperature, helping me plan a better sleep routine (it even detects snorers).

Activity metrics are equally thorough: it can track pace, cadence, heart rate duration, and heart zones, offering personalised tips and setting goals, which motivated me to stay consistent with my fitness goals.

Unlike other smart rings, the Samsung Galaxy Smart Ring can take photos by tapping my index finger and thumb together, which blew me away. Granted, this gesture control isn’t essential for a smart ring, but I appreciated it.

Smart ring for women’s health tracking

What we love: Detailed data tracking, durable, doesn’t tarnish, unique shape, long battery life, compatible with Android and iOS, includes compact charging case.

Take note: Squoval shape, ring has a tendency to spin, thick band, and limited colour options.

The RingConn rivals the Oura Ring 5 for slimness: it’s only fractionally thicker, with a squoval shape. Though comfortable with no irritation or tarnishing, the inside sensors jut out of the band, so it occasionally rotates.

After one week of consistent wear, I still had six days of power left. The ring also comes with a compact charging case to protect the ring – a nice touch.

The tracking is where this smart ring truly shines. RingConn analyses common health metrics – sleep, exercise, heart rate, and temperature – but it also monitors sleep apnoea, hydration levels, sun exposure, and provides alerts when a headache is approaching.

The menstrual tracking is far more detailed than other wearables I have tried. This is partly down to the personal details it required to monitor my cycle – while some may find these questions intense and invasive, I welcomed them because it encouraged me to observe my body thoroughly, and make a mental note of any changes.

Smart ring for long-lasting battery

What we love: Longest battery life, includes charging case, biometric tracking also includes sunlight exposure, free health coaching, and multi-app compatible

Take note: Limited colourways, bulky design, the sensors on the underside change colours, which can be distracting

Three weeks into testing, I haven’t had to charge the Luna Smart Ring once. I appreciated the ring’s unique twist detail, but the bulky band created an uncomfortable gap between my fingers – especially alongside other rings. The gold finish also scratches easily, while the multi-coloured sensors were distracting at night.

Lightweight and water-resistant, the titanium smart ring features several sensors to track sleep health, heart health, and movement. Unexpected but useful metrics, it also tracks sunlight exposure – appreciated during London’s heatwave – and my coffee window.

Considering it costs £270, I was disappointed that it didn’t auto-detect any data. Although manually logging is easy with the voice command function, Luna Voice, I wouldn’t recommend it for those who want a reliable smart ring that does all the hard work for them.

I relied on the AI-powered health coach, LifeOS, more than other devices, regularly asking it to suggest healthy meal plans, quick workouts, and how to improve my energy levels. Turns out, my low energy was due to a “dysregulated stress and sleep cycle”, rather than high caffeine intake, which was insightful feedback I wasn’t expecting from this smart ring.

Smart ring for emotional tracking

What we love: Unique finish, tracks a variety of health metrics, emotional tracking is strong, supports AmazFit watches for cohesive data tracking, water resistant, offers training coaching, stable battery life runs for six days, and easy to set up

Take note: Limited colourways, tight fit, and limited sizes

With its printed finish, Amazfit’s Helio Ring looks strikingly different to other smart rings. Gold purists might be disappointed that it only comes in a metallic matte finish, and it’s also worth noting that it’s only available in three sizes (the ring sizer is worth investing in for the perfect fit).

Sensors are protected by transparent resin, which made the ring feel slightly tight. This also makes charging fiddly – it must correspond with grooves on the charger – but the ring powers up within an hour, and lasts for almost a week.

Data tracking is impressive, monitoring your sleep cycle, heart rate, readiness and activity, while offering training support for those running a marathon or in Hyrox training. The device also monitors emotional state using the electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor and HRV: any time my heart rate or mood dipped, the Zepp app encourages me to assess my feelings and log them, which prompted me to change in my thinking, move my body, or call my mum to snap out of that stressful cycle rather than wallowing.

All smart rings track similar biometrics, but some stand out from others with unique features and detailed analytics.

The Galaxy Smart Ring is comfortable to wear, presenting in-depth analytics and intuitive gesture prompts. However, it was only compatible with Android – a drawback for Apple users. RingConn’s smart ring impressed me with its unique shape and detailed questionnaire around women’s health, which invited me to observe my bodily functions more than I ever have done in all my 33 years – but it didn’t fit as snug as Oura’s designs.

Ultimately, the Oura Ring 5 gets my top spot because it analyses a plethora of health biometrics, provides accurate data in a digestible way, has a substantially long battery life, requires minimal input from me, and it was the most comfortable design to wear for long periods of time.

When shopping for the best smart ring it is important to look for a device that is comfortable to wear, water-resistant, offers a long battery life, but also tracks data you will “actually use”, says McLachlan. The fitness guru recommends a device that tracks “sleep stages and sleep regularity, resting heart rate, HRV, temperature trends, activity/step tracking, and cycle tracking.”

McLachlan also recommends a smart ring with an easy-to-use app that provides accurate insights, supportive health advice, and is compatible with the handset you use, of course. The cost of the wearable, subscription, charging case, or other attachment is another crucial factor to consider.

It is often assumed that smart rings are designed solely for women, but that isn’t necessarily the case. McLachlan insists that “smart rings are suitable for everyone.” She believes “the best smart ring is the one that fits securely and comfortably; choice should be based on fit, app compatibility and health goals rather than gender.”

While Ramskill believes that smart rings “can help women better understand their menstrual cycle, fertility, sleep and overall health and wellbeing”, she also acknowledges that smart rings can help wearers understand the impact their lifestyle has on their sleep, and overall health. She adds: “Sleep is one of the foundations of good physical and mental wellbeing, yet it's often disrupted by stress, busy lifestyles, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause.”

As a journalist who’s covered shopping content for over 12 years, it’s safe to say Maisie has tested her fair share of new releases, viral products and the bestselling must-haves across all categories, including health and fitness.

Maisie regularly interviews brand founders, developers, formulators, doctors, and other experts to learn about the latest technologies and determine if they are truly worth investing in.

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